Gregor and the Code of Claw
Chapter 15
by Suzanne, Collins,Gregor struggles with guilt and moral conflict after killing the moles, realizing they may have been justified in their fight against the humans. Wounded and drugged, he grapples with the idea that he might be on the wrong side of the conflict, unlike his previous battles where he felt morally clear. The weight of his actions leaves him emotionally drained, and he seeks solace in pain medication to numb both physical and emotional pain. His internal turmoil highlights the complexity of war and the blurred lines between right and wrong.
The palace is overrun with wounded soldiers and displaced families as the war intensifies, with rats advancing closer to the city walls. Gregor leaves the crowded hospital to reun with his sisters, Lizzie and Boots, in the code room, where efforts to decipher a critical message continue. The sense of urgency grows, as breaking the code could determine their survival. Gregor’s relief at finding his sisters safe is tempered by the grim reality of their situation and the looming threat of the Bane.
In the code room, Gregor reunites with Luxa, who has recovered from her injuries, and their interaction is warm despite past tensions. The group, including bats and other allies, shares a meal and prepares for rest under Ripred’s orders. Gregor’s bond with Luxa and his sisters provides a fleeting sense of normalcy, but the war’s pressures remain ever-present. Ripred’s brief mention of Gregor’s potential return to the battlefield underscores the ongoing danger.
Gregor attempts to maintain a semblance of routine by tucking his sisters into bed, though he avoids sharing a cheerful story, unable to muster the emotional strength. His exhaustion and worry keep him awake, and he longs for parental guidance in the absence of his incapacitated mother. When he discovers Lizzie missing, likely working on the code, Gregor’s role as the de facto caretaker is reaffirmed, highlighting his burden of responsibility amidst the chaos.
FAQs
1. What internal conflict is Gregor experiencing after the battle with the moles, and how does it differ from his previous battles in the Underland?
Answer:
Gregor is grappling with moral guilt after killing the moles, as he now believes they were justified in their claim to Regalia. Unlike previous battles where he fought with moral certainty (protecting the plague cure, defending against snakes, freeing mice), this time he feels he was on “the wrong side of what was right.” The chapter reveals his realization that the humans may be invaders, and the moles had given him a chance to choose sides. This crisis of conscience is new for Gregor, who previously saw his actions as clearly justified.2. How does the author use physical spaces in the palace to reflect the escalating war situation?
Answer:
The overcrowding of palace spaces vividly illustrates the war’s severity. The hospital overflows with wounded, families camp in niches, and even Luxa surrenders her quarters to the injured. The code room becomes a makeshift dormitory, housing humans, bats, and the rat Ripred. These spatial constraints mirror the rats’ advancement - they’ve breached the city walls, forcing all citizens into the palace’s shrinking safe zones. The physical compression heightens tension while demonstrating how war disrupts normal social structures and hierarchies.3. Analyze how Gregor’s role in his family has changed throughout the story, as evidenced in this chapter.
Answer:
Gregor has transitioned from child to primary caregiver, a shift emphasized in this chapter’s bedtime scene. While performing parental rituals (toothbrushing, tucking in), he acknowledges being “the closest thing his family had to a parent.” This contrasts sharply with his longing for a parent “who could protect him.” The chapter shows his emotional burden through his inability to tell Boots a happy story, fearing he might break down. His nighttime vigilance over Lizzie further cements his protective role, though he still yearns for the security of childhood.4. What strategic importance does the code-breaking effort hold in this chapter, and how does it create narrative tension?
Answer:
The code represents the last hope for survival, as Gregor notes “if they didn’t break that code soon, they were all going to end up dead.” This urgency creates tension through: 1) Physical proximity of the Bane’s forces, 2) The wounded flooding the palace showing time running out, and 3) The code team’s privileged access to space despite overcrowding. The narrative juxtaposes domestic scenes (meals, bedtime) with this looming threat, emphasizing that normalcy is fragile. Ripred’s warning that Gregor may soon be needed on the battlefield further raises stakes.5. How does the author develop Luxa and Gregor’s relationship in this chapter through subtle interactions?
Answer:
Their connection deepens through understated moments: 1) Luxa helps Gregor stand but he holds her hands tighter, 2) Their comfortable reunion after the picture exchange defies Gregor’s expectations of awkwardness, and 3) Luxa’s wry humor about Ripred’s “kindness” shows shared understanding. The restrained dialogue (“We will talk tomorrow”) suggests unspoken emotional currents. These interactions, set against war’s chaos, highlight their bond as a rare source of stability. The physical contact and mutual concern contrast with earlier formalities in their relationship.
Quotes
1. “It was a terrible feeling, to be on the wrong side of what was right.”
This quote captures Gregor’s moral crisis after realizing the moles he killed may have been justified in their fight against the human invaders. It represents a pivotal moment where he questions the black-and-white morality of war and his own role as “the warrior.”
2. “When a nurse came in with pain medicine, Gregor couldn’t swallow it fast enough. It was the ache in his heart that he most wanted to block out.”
This poignant statement shows Gregor’s emotional trauma outweighing his physical wounds. The metaphorical “ache in his heart” reflects his growing burden of guilt and responsibility in the war.
3. “The war had not been conducive to the three-meals-a-day schedule he’d been raised on.”
This understated observation highlights how war disrupts normalcy, even in basic routines. The contrast between childhood comforts and wartime realities emphasizes Gregor’s forced maturation.
4. “Oh, how wonderful it would be to have a parent who was in charge again, who could protect him, who could tell him what to do.”
Gregor’s longing for parental guidance reveals his vulnerability beneath his warrior role. This moment underscores the theme of reversed responsibilities, where the child becomes the protector of his family.
5. “But the closest thing his family had to a parent at the moment was Gregor.”
This blunt realization crystallizes Gregor’s emotional burden. As the de facto head of his family in the Underland, he embodies the chapter’s exploration of premature responsibility and lost childhood.